What do the symbols on my Mercedes Benz e190 dashboard mean?
April 3, 2010 by admin
Filed under Automakers
My dad is giving me his 1996 Mercedes Benz e190 and I don’t know the function of a lot of the buttons on the dashboard, the ones that control the vents, and a few others, does anyone know of an online users manual website that can provide me with this info?
Thank you 
Rob.
There are many variations in the dashboard lighting of various MBz cars. The symbology for these controls is different between the countries depending on the model year and accessories purchased. Sometimes the Owner’s Manual has a photo locater of the various switch functions. Otherwise, you may have to turn each switch on and off until you see what it is controlling.
The car can’t be a ’96 190E (not E190 as you called it). The last year for the 190E was 1993. The W201 (internal chassis code for the 190E) was replaced by the C-Class (W202) in ’94.
Or you could be referring to the W210 chassis E-Class that came out in ’96 but the smallest E-Class in the world market was an E200. The smallest in North America, since your question originated on the US site, was either an E320 gasoline or E300 diesel.
It would take too long to provide a written explanation of each button but the good news for you is that Benz still sells owner’s manuals for older models and they’re not that expensive. I suggest you either buy one or have your dad sit down in the car with you and explain what all the functions/features are and how to operate them.
Why not ask your Dad?
BTW, are you sure that’s a 1996 190E?
I was under the impression 1994 was the last year of the 190E, replaced by the C-Class in 1995(at least in the US)
http://www.tokuhara.net/cars/oldcars/190e/ac_radio.jpg
This is the same as my 190E’s controls:
From Left to Right:
[Defrost]-[Upper Heat]-[Upper/Lower Heat]-[Lower Heat]-[Vent (no heat)]-[OFF]
The 3 vertical ones on the right are as follows (in descending order)
[Heat]
[A/C]
[Recirculate air]